She flipped him the bird on the way out of the barn.His mother was right.He was rude, overbearing, and arrogant.His judgmental tone was infuriating.The worst thing about him was that she still wanted to shove him against the nearest flat surface and press her lips to his.She could silence him with a kiss, easily.He’d made it clear that he was eager to oblige.But that didn’t mean he respected her.
She curled her hands into fists as she stormed away.He always showered after his bike ride, so she avoided the house.She couldn’t smell his cedar-sage soap without imagining his wet, naked body and getting weak-kneed.
He was just a man, she told herself.Yes, he was anattractiveman, with strong hands and a quick mind.He could play the perfect gentleman when he wanted to, and he could make her laugh like a maniac.He had well-muscled thighs, from all that bike riding, and broad shoulders that made a woman want to hang on tight.
He was genetically gifted.So what?She’d known smart, handsome men before.Tripp Gilley had a pretty face and a clever way with words.Falling for him had been the worst mistake of her life.
Hooking up with Wade could be even more disastrous.She was too vulnerable in his presence, too tempted to throw caution to the wind.If she wasn’t careful, she’d spill all of her secrets to him, and he’d break her heart.
She detoured into the garden to pull weeds.She yanked them out by the roots, her teeth gritted, until sweat trickled down her back.When it was safe to return to the house, because Wade had left for work, she went inside for a cool drink.Wynona was sitting at the table with a coffee mug.She looked every bit of her age today, with dark circles under her eyes, tangled hair, and an unhealthy pallor.
Meredith washed her hands at the sink before grabbing a soda from the fridge.She popped the top off and took a sip.Her annoyance at Wade had transferred to Wynona, who had orchestrated last night’s debacle.The woman had abandoned her at the restaurant and drugged her to the gills.
“Wade’s pissed,” Meredith said.
“What else is new?”
Meredith decided not to hold back.“I’m pissed, too.I woke up on the couch, and I don’t remember how I got there.”
“Wade carried you inside.”
“He told me.”
“He was very concerned for your welfare.”
She groaned in embarrassment.
“I thought you liked him.”
“I never said that.”
“Actually, you did.”
Meredith sat down across from her.“When?”
“Last night, when he put you on the couch.You said ‘Stay with me, Wade.I like you.You’re not like him.’”
Her cheeks flared with heat.
“You were laughing fit to bust when I got home, too.”
Meredith didn’t want to explain that awkward scene.Some stories weren’t appropriate for a mother’s ears.Frowning, she changed the subject.“I asked him what happened to Billy.He wouldn’t answer.So I’m asking you.”
Wynona sipped her coffee without comment.
Meredith wasn’t going to let her off the hook this time.She might bethe help, but she was nobody’s doormat.“Nona, you lied to me about Billy’s birthday.You knew I wouldn’t give you a ride to the bar, so you talked me into going out to dinner.You used me and ditched me.Now you owe me the truth.”
Her blue eyes narrowed with pique.“You’re overstepping.”
“No, I’m not.We’re friends, and you need to deal with this.You need to try to mend fences with Wade.”
She pursed her lips tightly.“That’s impossible.”
“Tell me why.I’ll listen.”
Wynona hesitated.She couldn’t refuse outright because she valued Meredith’s friendship.More importantly, she valued the work Meredith did around the ranch.They’d built a business together, and Wynona couldn’t run it on her own.
“What happened?”Meredith prodded gently.
